Intelligent Adaptation of Address Books

ABSTRACT

Address books may be intelligently adapted. A sensor output is received indicating a measure of vibration of a mobile device. An address book associated with the mobile device is retrieved and condensed according to the measure of the vibration to generate address favorites. The address favorites are displayed on a display device of the mobile device, such that the vibration experienced by the mobile device determines which contacts in the address book are preferred.

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/036,030, filed Sep. 25, 2013, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its attachmentscontain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patentand Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Mobile communications have revolutionized our lives. Today mobileapplications may be downloaded for all manner of services and games. Asusers download more and more applications, however, their mobile devicesbecome cluttered with iconic representations. In other words, there aresimply too many application icons for most users to manage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments areunderstood when the following Detailed Description is read withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in whichexemplary embodiments may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating the operatingenvironment, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating detection of conditions, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating operational states, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a database of iconic arrangements,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating a log of usage, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating a learning mode, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating a home button on a mobile device,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 9-10 are schematics illustrating radial distances from the homebutton, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 11-14 are schematics illustrating a thumb radius, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustrating a landscape orientation, accordingto exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 16-17 are schematics further illustrating the learning mode,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a schematic further illustrating the database of iconicarrangements, according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 19 is a graphical illustration of a three-dimensional mapping,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 20-21 are schematics illustrating handedness, according toexemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 22-24 are schematics illustrating adaptation of sizing, accordingto exemplary embodiments;

FIGS. 25-26 are schematics illustrating adaptation of an address book,according to exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustrating an alternate operating environment,according to exemplary embodiments; and

FIGS. 28-29 depict still more operating environments for additionalaspects of the exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodimentsmay, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those ofordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein recitingembodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended toencompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof.Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in thefuture (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function,regardless of structure).

Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill inthe art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the likerepresent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplaryembodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figuresmay be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well ashardware capable of executing associated software. Those of ordinaryskill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware,software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described hereinare for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limitedto any particular named manufacturer.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,”“including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected”or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled.As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first device could be termed asecond device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a firstdevice without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic illustrating an environment in whichexemplary embodiments may be implemented. FIG. 1 illustrates a mobiledevice 20 having a display device 22. The mobile device 20, forsimplicity, is illustrated as a smart phone 24, but the mobile device 20may be any mobile or stationary processor-controlled device (as laterparagraphs will explain). The display device 22 displays a home screen26 with icons 28. Each icon 28 typically corresponds to one of severalsoftware applications 30 executed by the mobile device 20. The displaydevice 22 may be a touch screen, thus allowing the user to touch, tap,or otherwise select any icon 28. Should the user select one of the icons28, the mobile device 20 launches, resumes, or calls the correspondingsoftware application 30. As iconic representation is well known, thisdisclosure need not provide a detailed explanation.

Exemplary embodiments may automatically rearrange the icons 28. As theuser carries the mobile device 20, various conditions 40 are sensed ordetermined. The icons 28 may then be rearranged on the home screen 26,according to the conditions 40. For example, exemplary embodiments mayrearrange the icons 28 according to time 42, location 44, and/or state46 of mobility. At a certain time 42 of day, for example, one of thesoftware applications 30 may be preferred, based on historical use. At aparticular location 44, another one of the software applications 30 maybe preferred. When the mobile device 20 travels, the state 46 ofmobility may force some of the software applications 30 to beunavailable, while other software applications 30 may be brought to thehome screen 26. So, as the conditions 40 change throughout the day,exemplary embodiments determine which of the software applications 30 ispreferred, and the corresponding icon(s) 28 may be promoted for displayby the home screen 26. The user may thus have quick access to thepreferred icon 28 without fumbling through secondary screens.

Demotion may be required. Sometimes there are more icons 28 that can bedisplayed on the home screen 26. When the mobile device 20 stores oraccesses many software applications 30, there may be too many icons 28to simultaneously display on the single home screen 26. The mobiledevice 20 may thus generate and store one or more secondary screens 48that, when selected, display remaining ones of the icons 28. So, when apreferred icon 28 is promoted to the home screen 26, one or moreremaining icons 28 may be removed from the home screen 26. That is, someicons 28 may be demoted to the secondary screens 48.

The home screen 26 may thus intelligently adapt to the conditions 40. Asthe user carries the mobile device 20, the mobile device 20 evaluatesthe conditions 40. The home screen 26 learns and adapts to the user,based on the conditions 40. The icons 28 displayed on the home screen 26may thus be intelligently promoted and demoted according to theconditions 40. At any time 42, location 44, and/or state 46 of mobility,the user has quick and easy access to the corresponding softwareapplications 30.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram illustrating the operatingenvironment, according to exemplary embodiments. The mobile device 20may have a processor 50 (e.g., “μP”), application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or other component that executes an algorithm 52 storedin a local memory 54. The memory 54 may also store the softwareapplications 30 (such as an SMS texting application, a call application,calendar application, and a web browser application). The algorithm 52has instructions, code, and/or programs that may cause the processor 50to generate a ranking 56 of the software applications 30, according tothe conditions 40. When the display device 22 displays the home screen26, the algorithm 52 may also instruct the processor 50 to adapt thecorresponding icons 28 according to the conditions 40.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating detection of the conditions 40,according to exemplary embodiments. Whenever the mobile device 20 ispowered on, the algorithm 52 may obtain the time 42 of day, the location44, and the state 46 of mobility. The home screen 26 (or user interface)is rarely used under the same conditions at all times and locations.Indeed, smartphones have become popular due to their flexibility andusefulness under most, if not all, of the conditions 40 the userexperiences each day. This flexibility is primarily enabled by thevariety of the software applications 30 that may be stored and executed.Even though the mobile device 20 has the flexibility to run manydifferent software applications 30, each specific software application30 may only be useful, or safe, for a narrow subset of the conditions40. For example, a GPS-based navigation application may be useful whendriving, but GPS signals are usually not received indoors and uselesswhen stationary. Likewise, an email client may be useful whenstationary, but useless and unsafe when driving. Social networkingapplications are typically useful when at home during non-work hours,but generally used less at work during the day. Exemplary embodiments,then, detect the conditions 40 in which the mobile device 20 and/or anyof the software applications 30 are used.

The algorithm 52 thus acquires the time 42 and the location 44. The time42 may be determined from a clock signal, from a network signal, or fromany known method. The time 42 may also be retrieved from a calendarapplication. The time 42 may be expressed along with the current day,month, and year. The location 44 is commonly determined from a globalpositioning system (“GPS”) receiver, but the location 44 may bedetermined from WI-FI® access points, network identifiers, and/or anyknown method.

The time 42 and the location 44 may be adaptively combined. Thealgorithm 52 may determine the mobile device 20 is currently at the“home” location 44 based on detection of a residential network, alongwith morning or night hours. A “work” location 44 may be determined fromdetection of an office network, along with weekday daytime hours (e.g.,9 AM to 5 PM). The algorithm 52 may also distinguish between a “home”and a “visiting” market, perhaps again based on radio networkidentifiers (e.g., LTE tracking area or UMTS Location Area). Should thealgorithm 52 detect a never-before seen tracking area, the algorithm 52may assume the mobile device 20 is located in a non-home, visitingmarket. The algorithm 52 may also generate a prompt on the displaydevice 22, asking the user to confirm or input the time 42 and/or thelocation 44.

BLUETOOTH® pairing may also be used. When the mobile device 20 isoperating in an automobile, the mobile device 20 may electronicallypair, mate, or interface with a BLUETOOTH® transceiver for hands-freeoperation. If the mobile device 20 automatically pairs with theautomobile, the algorithm 52 may assume the user is the driver of theautomobile. Conversely, if the mobile device 20 is manually paired withthe automobile, the algorithm 52 may assume the user is the passenger ofthe automobile. That is, automatic or manual pairing may determinewhether the user is the driver or the passenger. The algorithm 52 maythus adapt the home screen 26 according to whether the mobile device 20is used by the driver or the passenger.

Exemplary embodiments also determine the state 46 of mobility. The state46 of mobility may be determined from information received from theglobal positioning system (“GPS”) receiver (such as GPS information orcoordinates 60). However, the state 46 of mobility may also bedetermined using sensor output from an accelerometer 62 and/or from akinetic generator 64. As the user carries the mobile device 20, theaccelerometer 62 and/or the kinetic generator 64 senses different levelsor measurements of vibration 66. The vibration 66 may be random orcyclic motion, perhaps in one or more axes. Regardless, theaccelerometer 62 and/or the kinetic generator 64 outputs a digital oranalog signal (e.g., amplitude, frequency, voltage, current, pulsewidth) that is indicative of the vibration 66 during use of the mobiledevice 20. The algorithm 52 may use any parameter of the signal as anindication of the vibration 66 to determine the state 46 of mobility.

The kinetic generator 64 may detect the vibration 66. The kineticgenerator 64 is any device that converts the vibration 66, or anymotion, to electric current. The kinetic generator 64, for example, maybe mechanical, piezoelectric, chemical, or any other technology.

Output from a microphone 68 may also be used. The mobile device 20 mayhave the microphone 68 to receive audible sounds and to output signalsindicative of the sounds. As the user carries the mobile device 20, thealgorithm 52 may use the output from the microphone 68 to furtherdetermine the state 46 of mobility. For example, the algorithm 52 maydetermine the state 46 of mobility as stationary, in response to littleto no vibration 66 compared to a threshold value for stationarypositions. The state 46 of mobility may be determined as walking, inresponse to the vibration 66 greater than some other threshold for humanwalking. Moreover, a frequency of the vibration 66 may also be comparedto a threshold frequency for the walking determination. Vehicularmovement may be determined in response to random frequencies of thevibration 66, perhaps coupled with known, low frequency road noisesreceived by the microphone 68.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating operational states 80, according toexemplary embodiments. Once the algorithm 52 determines the one or moreconditions 40, the algorithm determines the operational state 80 for themobile device 20. That is, the algorithm 52 analyzes the conditions 40(e.g., the time 42 of day, the location 44, and the state 46 ofmobility) and concludes how best to characterize the operational state80 for the mobile device 20. For example, the algorithm 52 may query adatabase 82 of operational states. FIG. 4 illustrates the database 82 ofoperational states as a table 84 that maps, relates, or associatesdifferent combinations of the conditions 40 to different operationalstates 80. The database 82 of operational states stores differentoperational states for different combinations of the conditions 40(e.g., the time 42, the location 44, and/or the state 46 of mobility).The database 82 of operational states may thus be populated with entriesfor many different conditions 40 and their corresponding operationalstates 80. While FIG. 4 only illustrates a few entries, in practice thedatabase 82 of operational states may contain hundreds, perhapsthousands, of entries. A simple, partial listing of some operationalstates 80 is provided below:

-   -   morning home stationary,    -   evening home stationary,    -   weekend home stationary,    -   work home stationary,    -   work office stationary,    -   work home market driving,    -   work visiting market driving,    -   non-work home market driving,    -   non-work visiting market driving,    -   work home market passenger,    -   non-work visiting market passenger,    -   non-work home market walking, and/or    -   non-work visiting market walking.        There may be many other operational states 80, depending on how        the conditions 40 are categorized, valued, or delineated. Once        the algorithm 52 determines the conditions 40, the algorithm 52        queries the database 82 of operational states for the conditions        40. If the conditions 40 match one of the entries in the        database 82 of operational states, the algorithm 52 retrieves        the corresponding operational state 80.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating a database 90 of iconic arrangements,according to exemplary embodiments. Once the algorithm 52 determines theoperational state 80, the algorithm 52 may then consult the database 90of iconic arrangements. The database 90 of iconic arrangements storesiconic arrangements 92 for the icons 28 on the home screen 26 fordifferent operational states 80. FIG. 5, for example, illustrates thedatabase 90 of iconic arrangements as a table 94 that maps, relates, orassociates the different operational states 80 to their correspondingiconic arrangement 92. Each entry in the database 90 of iconicarrangements may thus be populated with a different arrangement 92 forthe icons 28 on the home screen 26, depending upon the correspondingoperational state 80. Once the algorithm 52 determines the operationalstate 80, the algorithm 52 may query the database 90 of iconicarrangements for the operational state 80. If the operational state 80of the mobile device 20 matches one of the entries in the database 90 oficonic arrangements, the algorithm 52 retrieves the correspondingarrangement 92 for the icons 28 in the home screen 26. While FIG. 5 onlyillustrates a few entries, in practice the database 90 of iconicarrangements may contain many entries.

The algorithm 52 then adapts the home screen 26. Once the arrangement 92is retrieved for the operational state 80, the algorithm 52 then movesthe icons 28 on the home screen 26. That is, some icons 28 may bedemoted from the home screen 26, and other icons 28 may be promoted tothe home screen 26 (as earlier paragraphs explained). The algorithm 52automatically rearranges the icons 28 to suit the operational state 80of the mobile device 20. Should the operational state 80 again change,the algorithm 52 may again reconfigure the icons 28 to suit some newoperational state 80.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating a log 100 of usage, according toexemplary embodiments. As the mobile device 20 is used, the algorithm 52may store usage information in the log 100 of usage. The algorithm 52,for example, may observe and record which software applications 30 areused for any combination of the conditions 40 (e.g., the time 42 of day,the location 44, and the state 46 of mobility). Over time the algorithm52 learns which ones of the software applications 30 are used most oftenfor each condition 40. For example, the algorithm 52 may monitor howoften each software application 30 is started, how often each softwareapplication 30 is moved to the home screen 26, and/or how long eachsoftware application 30 remains on the home screen 26 for each condition40. The algorithm 52 thus logs usage for the different operationalstates 80 of the mobile device 20.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating a learning mode 110 for the mobiledevice 20, according to exemplary embodiments. Once the log 100 of usageis built over time, the algorithm 52 may self-configure the icons 28 onthe home screen 26. That is, the algorithm 52 may intelligently learnthe user's iconic preferences for the different operational states 80.Even though the mobile device 20 may have the arrangements 92 pre-storedor pre-determined (as explained with reference to FIG. 5), the algorithm52 may tailor the iconic arrangement 92 to best suit the user's personalusage habits. As the log 100 of usage is built, the algorithm 52 mayrecord which software applications 30 are preferred for the differentconditions 40. The algorithm 52 may thus tally the usage information andlearn what software applications the user prefers for the differentoperational states 80. The algorithm 52 may then self-determine thearrangement 92 of the icons on the home screen 26, in response to theusage information in the log 100 of usage. That is, the algorithm 52 mayconfigure the icons 28 for a user-friendly home screen 26, according tothe operational state 80. Again, the algorithm 52 may arrange theapplication icons 28 so that the most frequently used softwareapplications 30 are prominently placed on the home screen 26.Lesser-used icons 28 may be removed from the home screen 26 and demotedto the secondary screen 48.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating a home button 120 on the mobiledevice 20, according to exemplary embodiments. When the user touches ordepresses the home button 120, the mobile device 20 displays the homescreen 26. While the home button 120 may be located at any location onthe mobile device 20, FIG. 8 illustrates the home button 120 on a frontface of the smart phone 24.

Exemplary embodiments may cluster the icons 28. As the algorithm 52learns the user's preferences, the algorithm 52 may arrange the icons 28about the home button 120. That is, once the algorithm 52 determines themost frequently used software application(s) 30 during the operationalstate 80, the algorithm 52 may arrange the corresponding icons 28 aroundthe home button 120. So, not only are the popular icons 28 promoted tothe home screen 26, but the popular icons 28 may also be clusteredaround the home button 120. The popular icons 28 during the operationalstate 80 are thus arranged for easy access about the home button 120.

FIG. 8 thus illustrates a grid 122 of the icons 28. Once the icons 28for the home screen 26 are determined (according to the operationalstate 80), the algorithm 52 may arrange the application icons 28 on thehome screen 26. FIG. 8 illustrates the application icons 28 arranged inthe grid 122, with each individual icon 28 having a row and columnposition. Each position in the grid 122 corresponds to a rank in theranking 56. That is, once the algorithm 52 determines which icons 28 arepromoted to the home screen 26, the algorithm 52 may further generateassign the icon 28 to a position in the grid 122, according to theranking 56.

The ranking 56 may start near the home button 120. As the applicationicons 28 are ranked, the most popular icons 28 may be reserved forpositions closest to the home button 120. That is, a first position inthe ranking 56 may correspond to one of the row/column positions that isclosest to the home button 120. Consider, for example, when theoperational state 80 is “morning home stationary,” the user maypopularly text with friends and workers. A text messaging icon 28, then,may be assigned the first position in the grid 122. Next popular may bea news-feed application, which is assigned a second position in the grid122. The third most popular application icon 28 is assigned a fourthposition, a fifth most popular application icon 28 is assigned a fifthposition, and so on. The application icons 28 may thus be arrangedaccording to the ranking 56, with the more popular software applicationicons 28 reserved for the closest positions to the home button 120.Because the icons 28 are positioned near the home button 120, the iconsare within easy reach of the user's thumb (as later paragraphs willexplain).

FIGS. 9-10 are schematics illustrating radial distances from the homebutton 120, according to exemplary embodiments. Here, the algorithm 52generates the ranking 56 of the software applications 30, and thecorresponding icons 28 are still clustered about the home button 120.Yet, here the icons 28 are arranged according to a radial distance fromthe home button 120. That is, the most popular icons 28 may be reservedfor positions in an arc 130 that are closest to the home button 120. Thearc 130 has a corresponding radius R_(arc) (illustrated as referencenumeral 132) about which the icons 28 are aligned. The radius 132 may bedetermined from the home button 120. As FIG. 10 illustrates, lesspopular icons 134 may be aligned on a second arc 136 that corresponds toa greater, second radius 138. The least popular icons 140 may be alignedon a third arc 142 that corresponds to a still greater, third radius144. Exemplary embodiments may thus rank and arrange the icons 28 aboutsuccessive radial arcs from the home button 120. This radial arrangementpositions the icons 28 near the home button 120, within easy reach ofthe user's thumb.

FIGS. 11-14 are schematics illustrating a thumb radius 150, according toexemplary embodiments. As the reader will recognize, FIG. 11 illustratesone-handed operation of the smart phone 24. The smart phone 24 is heldin a portrait orientation and cradled in a palm of the user's hand. Theuser's thumb 152 reaches to select the icons 28 on the home screen 26.Here, though, the application icons 28 may be radially arranged withrespect to the thumb radius 150 of the user's thumb 152. The rankedicons 28 may thus be positioned to always be within easy reach of theuser's thumb 152.

FIG. 11 thus illustrates another radial arrangement of the icons 28. Theicons 28 may again be positioned along the arc 130. Here, though, theuser's thumb radius 150 determines the arc 130. Even though one-handedoperation is common, different people's hands come in different sizes.That is, our hands are not equal in size. So, the radial arrangement ofthe icons 28 may be adjusted to suit the length of the user's thumb 152.

FIG. 12 also illustrates the thumb radius 150. Once the algorithm 52determines which icons 28 should be displayed (according to theoperational state 80), the algorithm 52 positions the icons 28 on thehome screen 26. The algorithm 52 retrieves the user's thumb radius 150from the memory 54, mathematically plots the arc 130, and aligns theicons 28 to the arc 130. The icons 28 for the operational state 80 arethus radially aligned within easy reach of the user's thumb (illustratedas reference numeral 152 in FIG. 11).

FIGS. 11 and 12 also illustrates an origin 154 for the thumb radius 150.The origin 154 is a reference position from which the arc 130 iscentered. That is, the user's thumb radius 150 is calculated from theorigin 154, thus determining where on the home screen 26 that the icons28 are radially aligned. The origin 154 may thus be selected by the userto ensure the radial alignment coincides with the user's thumb 152.Exemplary embodiments, then, may permit the user to select the origin154 from which the arc 130 is defined. The user, for example, may touchor tap a location on the home screen 26 (if touch sensored) to definethe origin 154. The user may specify coordinates on the home screen 26for the origin 154. Touch sensors on a body or shell of the mobiledevice 20 may even determine the origin 154, as the mobile device 20 isheld in the user's hand. Regardless, the user may personalize the radialarrangement to suit her one-handed operation.

FIG. 13 illustrates measurement of the user's thumb radius 150. Beforethe icons 28 may be radially arranged with respect to the user's thumb(as FIGS. 11-12 illustrated), the length of the user's thumb 152 may beneeded. The algorithm 52 may present a prompt 160 for measuring theuser's thumb radius 150. The prompt 160 instructs the user to place herthumb on the display device 22. The algorithm 52 may then cause themobile device 20 to capture a full-size image of the user's thumb 152,from which the thumb radius 150 is determined by image analysis.Alternatively, if the mobile device 20 includes a touch screen, thealgorithm 52 may use pressure points or inputs to detect the length ofthe user's thumb 152. Exemplary embodiments, however, may use anymeasures of measuring the length of the user's thumb 152, includingmanual entry. Regardless, once the user's thumb radius 150 is known, thealgorithm 52 may use the thumb radius 152 to align the icons (as earlierparagraphs explained).

FIG. 14 also illustrates radial alignment from the home button 120.Here, though, the icons 28 may be radially arranged from the home button120, according to the user's thumb radius 150. The algorithm 52retrieves the user's thumb radius 150 and aligns the most popular icons28 within the arc 130 defined by the thumb radius 150 from the homebutton 120. As such, the most popular icons 28 are within easy reach ofthe user's thumb during single-handed use. Exemplary embodiments mayeven arrange the icons 28 along multiple arcs (as explained withreference to FIG. 10). Some of the multiple arcs may have a radius lessthan or equal to the user's thumb radius 150, measured from the homebutton 120. Less popular icons 28, or even least popular icons, may bearranged along an arc having a radius greater than the user's thumbradius 150 from the home button 120. The popular icons 28, in otherwords, may be arranged within easy reach of the home button 120, butless popular icons 28 may be positioned beyond the user's thumb radius150.

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustrating a landscape orientation 170,according to exemplary embodiments. As the reader understands, themobile device 20 may be oriented for two-handed operation. When themobile device 20 is held in the landscape orientation 170, theapplication icons 28 may be arranged within easy reach of the user'sleft thumb and/or the user's right thumb. That is, as the ranking 56 isgenerated, some of the application icons 28 may be arranged within aleft thumb radius 172. Other icons 28 may be arranged within a rightthumb radius 174. If the user is right-handed, for example, the mostpopular icons 28 may be clustered within the right thumb radius 174about a right corner 176 of the display device 22. Less popular icons 28may be arranged within the left thumb radius 172 about a left corner 178of the display device 22. A left-handed user, of course, may prefer avice versa arrangement. Regardless, the icons 28 may be arranged withinarcs 180 and 182, within easy of the user's respective left and rightthumbs.

FIGS. 16-17 are schematics further illustrating the learning mode 110for the mobile device 20, according to exemplary embodiments. As the log100 of usage is built over time, the algorithm 52 may further record aselection area 190 for each icon 28. That is, when any icon 28 isselected, the algorithm 52 may record whether the mobile device 20 wasin the landscape orientation 170 or in the portrait orientation 192. Theselection area 190 may also record a quadrant, zone, or region of thehome screen 26 from which the icon 28 was selected. The selection area190 thus allows the algorithm 52 to infer whether the user's left thumbor right thumb made the selection. For example, if the icon 28 isselected from the lower right corner portion of the home screen 26, thenthe algorithm 52 may determine that the user's right thumb likely madethe selection. If the icon 28 is selected from the lower left cornerportion of the home screen 26, then the algorithm 52 may determine thatthe user's left thumb made the selection. That is, the algorithm 52 mayassociate a handedness 194 with each icon 28 recorded in the log 100 ofusage.

FIG. 17 further illustrates the iconic arrangement. When the mobiledevice 20 is held in the landscape orientation 170, the applicationicons 28 may be arranged according to the handedness 194. Once thealgorithm 52 generates the ranking 56 for the corresponding operationalstate 80, the application icons 28 may be arranged according to theranking 56 and clustered according to the handedness 194. For example,the most popular icons 28 with right-handedness 194 may be arrangedwithin the right thumb radius 174 about the right bottom corner 176 ofthe home screen 26. The most popular icons 28 with left-handedness 194may be arranged within the left thumb radius 172 about the left bottomcorner 178 of the home screen 26. Once again, then, the icons 28 may bearranged within the arcs 180 and 182 about the preferred thumbs for easyaccess.

Some examples of the ranked icons 28 are provided. Consider, forexample, that some software applications 30 may be unsafe for someoperational states 80. When the algorithm 52 determines the operationalstate 80 involves driving, some software applications 30 (such as emailand text) may be categorized as unsafe or even prohibited. The algorithm52, then, may deliberately demote the corresponding application icons 28to the secondary screen 48. Other software applications 30, however, maybe categorized as safe driving enablers, such as voice control andtelephony applications. The corresponding safe application icons 28 maybe promoted to prominent, high-ranking positions on the home screen 26.

FIG. 18 is a schematic further illustrating the database 90 of iconicarrangements, according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 18 againillustrates the database 90 of iconic arrangements as the table 94 thatassociates the different operational states 80 to their correspondingiconic arrangements 92. Here, though, the iconic arrangements 92 may beaugmented with and the positional ranking 200. That is, once thesoftware applications 30 are ranked, the algorithm 52 may assign iconicpositions on the home screen 26. Each icon 28 may have its positionalranking 200 expressed as the row and column (as explained with referenceto FIG. 8). Each icon 28, however, may also be radially arranged withrespect to the home button 12 and/or the user's thumb radius 150 (asexplained with reference to FIGS. 9-17). Referencing FIG. 18, theoperational state 80 of “morning home stationary” has an alarm clockicon at positional ranking “P1” and a news icon at positional ranking“P2.” A weather icon is moved to positional ranking “P5.” FIG. 18 thusillustrates examples of entries in the database 90 of iconicarrangements. Again, FIG. 18 only illustrates several entries. Inpractice the database 90 of iconic arrangements may contain hundreds,perhaps thousands, of entries.

The algorithm 52 thus dynamically builds the home screen 26. Any timethe operational state 80 changes, the home screen 26 may adaptthroughout the day as operational states 80 change. For example, shouldthe mobile device 20 pair with a BLUETOOTH® interface (perhaps forhands-free operation in a vehicle), and/or detect the vibration (asexplained with reference to FIG. 3), the algorithm 52 may reconfigurethe home screen 26. That is, the home screen 26 may change from a“morning home stationary” arrangement 92 to a “non□work home marketdriving” arrangement 92. Should an office WI-FI® network be detected,perhaps without low-frequency vehicular sounds and the vibration 66,then the algorithm 52 may further change the home screen 26 to a “workoffice stationary” arrangement 92. Should the mobile device 20 againpair with the BLUETOOTH® interface (again for hands-free operation in avehicle), and/or detect once again detect vibration 66, then thealgorithm 52 may again change the home screen 26 to a “non□work homemarket driving” arrangement 92. If a home network is detected (perhapsfrom a home FEMTO identifier), perhaps without recognized vehicularvibration 66 and low-frequency sounds, the home screen 26 mayreconfigure to an “evening home stationary” arrangement 92. Finally, inthe evening of the day, the home screen 26 may reconfigure to a“non-work home market walking” arrangement 92 in response to slow,cyclic vibration 66 while the user walks a dog, and the home FEMTO isout of range. While only these few examples are provided, many morecombinations are possible, depending on the operational states 80.

FIG. 19 is a graphical illustration of a three-dimensional mapping 210of the conditions 40, according to exemplary embodiments. While thealgorithm 52 may dynamically arrange the icons 28 based on only one ofthe conditions 40, exemplary embodiments may dynamically arrange basedon any combination of the time 42 of day, the location 44, and the state46 of mobility. FIG. 19 thus illustrates the three-dimensional mapping210 of the conditions 40. As this disclosure above explains, the icons28 on the home screen 26 are rarely used under the same conditions 40.Each specific software application 30 may only be useful for certaincombinations of the conditions 40. Exemplary embodiments, then, detectthe conditions 40 and consult the three-dimensional mapping 210 todetermine the operational state 80.

FIG. 19 thus graphs the conditions 40. The different conditions 40(e.g., the time 42 of day, the location 44, and the state 46 ofmobility) may be plotted along different orthogonal coordinate axes. Thelocation 44 may be quantified from some reference location, such as thedistance from the user′ home address. Once the algorithm 52 determinesthe time 42 of day, the location 44, and the state 46 of mobility, thealgorithm 52 consults the three-dimensional mapping 210. One or morestate functions 212 may be defined to determine the operational state80. That is, the state function 212 may be expressed as some function ofthe time 42, the location 44, and the state 46 of mobility. Differentthree-dimensional geometrical regions 214 of the three-dimensionalmapping 210 may also define different, corresponding operational states80. When the current the time 42 of day, the location 44, and the state46 of mobility are plotted, the final coordinate location is matched toone of the geometrical regions 214 to determine the operational state80. Regardless, the algorithm 52 may consult the three-dimensionalmapping 210 for the time 42 of day, the location 44, and/or the state 46of mobility. The algorithm 52 retrieves the corresponding operationalstate 80 and then determines the arrangement 92 (as earlier paragraphsexplained).

FIGS. 20-21 are schematics further illustrating the handedness 194,according to exemplary embodiments. Here the application icons 28displayed on the home screen 26 may be configured for right-handoperation 220 or for left-hand operation 222. That is, the icons 28 maybe rearranged for left hand use or for right hand use. A left-handeduser, for example, may have difficulty reaching, or selecting, an icon28 arranged outside the left thumb radius 172. Similarly, a right-handeduser likely has difficulty selecting icons positioned beyond the rightthumb radius 174. These difficulties may be especially acute for largerdisplay screens held in smaller hands. Over-extension may produce verydifferent experiences between left- and right-handed users. Most users,in other words, may be dissatisfied with the same iconic arrangement 92.

Exemplary embodiments may thus adapt to the handedness 194. As themobile device 20 is held, the algorithm 52 may detect whether the mobiledevice 20 is held in the user's right hand or in the user's left hand.The algorithm 52 may then arrange the icons 28 on the home screen 26 tosuit the right-handed operation 220 or the left-hand operation 222. Whenthe mobile device 20 is held in the right hand, the algorithm 52 maycluster or arrange higher-ranking icons 28 to the user's right thumb.Conversely, the higher-ranking icons 28 may be arranged to the user'sleft thumb for the left-hand operation 222.

FIG. 20 illustrates touch sensors 224. The touch sensors 224 detect thenumber and locations of contact points with the user's fingers andthumb. As the mobile device 20 is held, the user's fingers and thumbgrasp and cradle the mobile device 20. The touch sensors 224 detect thenumber and pattern of contact points between the hand and the mobiledevice 20. While the touch sensors 224 may be located anywhere on themobile device 20, FIG. 20 illustrates the touch sensors 224 along leftand right sides. The number of the contact points, and the pattern ofthose contact points, may thus be used to determine the right-handedoperation 220 or the left-hand operation 222. For example, when themobile device 20 is held in the user's left hand, the touch sensors 224may detect the user's palm as a left-side, single, wide contact point.The touch sensors 224 may also detect the user's left fingers as two ormore narrow contact points on the right side of the mobile device 20.Should the mobile device 20 be held in the right hand, the user's palmappears as a single, wide contact point on the right and the fingersappear as two or more narrow contact points on the left.

Exemplary embodiments may then arrange the icons 28. The algorithm 52determines the operational state 80 and retrieves the correspondingarrangement 92. However, the algorithm 52 may then adapt the arrangement92 according to the handedness 194. If the left-hand operation 222 isdetermined, the icons 28 may be arranged about the user's left thumb.That is, the icons 28 may be arranged within the user's left thumbradius 172 (as explained with reference to FIGS. 15-17). If theright-handed operation 220 is determined, the icons 28 may be arrangedwithin the user's right thumb radius 174 (again as explained withreference to FIGS. 15-17). Exemplary embodiments may thus rearrange thehome screen 26 such that higher-ranking icons 28 are closest to theuser's preferred thumb for easy selection.

FIG. 20 illustrates an arrangement for morning habits. If theoperational state 80 is “morning home stationary,” an alarm clockapplication may be high ranking. Exemplary embodiments may thus positionthe corresponding application icon 28 in the bottom left corner 178 forthe left-hand operation 222. This position puts the high-ranking icon 28within easy reach of the user's left thumb. A right-handed user,however, may prefer the icon 28 in the bottom right hand corner 176 forthe right-handed operation 220. Moreover, this positioning also reducesthe area over which the display device 22 is blocked by the user'sthumb. As the user's thumb reaches to select the icons 28, the user'sthumb and/or hand may block significant portions of the display device22. Positioning according to the handedness 194 may thus improvevisibility and reduce incorrect or accidental selection of the wrongicon 28.

FIG. 21 is another schematic illustrating the database 90 of iconicarrangements, according to exemplary embodiments. The database 90 oficonic arrangements again associates the different operational states 80to their corresponding iconic arrangements 92. Here, though, the iconicarrangements 92 may be augmented with the handedness 194. The algorithm52 queries the table 94 for the operational state 80 and retrieves thecorresponding iconic arrangement 92 of the home screen 26, along withthe handedness 194. The algorithm 52 then arranges the icons 28 on thehome screen 26, as this disclosure explains.

The algorithm 52 will improve with time. As the algorithm 52 gainsexperience with the user, the algorithm 52 may determine that the useralways, or usually, prefers the right-handed operation 220 or theleft-hand operation 222. The icons 28 on the home screen 26 may thus bearranged according to habitual handedness 194. The algorithm 52, ofcourse, may determine how the mobile device 20 is currently held andadapt to the current handedness 194. Even though the left-hand operation222 may be habitually preferred, the icons 28 may be rearranged whencurrently held in the user's right hand.

FIGS. 22-24 are schematics illustrating adaptation of sizing, accordingto exemplary embodiments. Here a size 230 of an icon 28 may adapt,according to the operational state 80. That is, the size 230 of any ofthe icons 28 may increase, or decrease, in response to the operationalstate 80. High-ranking icons 28, for example, may have a larger size 230than lesser ranking icons 28. Indeed, the highest-ranking icon 28(perhaps representing a most popular software application 30) may besized greater than all other icons 28 displayed by the home screen 26.Rarely used icons 28 may be reduced in the size 230, thus allowing thehome screen 26 to be dominated by the popular icons 28.

The size 230 of an individual icon 28 may determine its userfriendliness. Screen size, resolution, and user dexterity are among thevarious factors that limit the number and user-friendliness of theapplication icons 28 that can fit on the home screen 26. Indeed, withthe small display device 22 of the smart phone 24, user friendlinessbecomes even more of an important consideration. For example, smallsizes for the icons 28 may be well suited for stationary use (e.g., whenthe mobile device 20 and user are not separately moving or shaking).However, small sizes for the icons 28 are not suited during mobilesituations when the user and the mobile device 20 are separately movingor shaking. The state 46 of mobility, in other words, may cause smallicons to be difficult to read and select. Accidental, unwanted selectionof an adjacent icon often results.

Sizing may thus adapt. When the algorithm 52 determines the operationalstate 80 (from the conditions 40), the algorithm 52 retrieves thecorresponding arrangement 92. However, the algorithm 52 may also adaptthe size 230 of any icon 28 according to the operational state 80. Forexample, if the user is walking, the algorithm 52 may enlarge the four(4) highest ranking 56, most important application icons 28. Indeed,lesser ranking 56 and even rarely used icons 28 may be demoted to thesecondary screen 48. As only the highest-ranking icons 28 need bedisplayed, the algorithm 52 may enlarge the four (4) icons 28 to consumemost of the home screen 26. This enlargement allows reliable selection,despite the state 46 of mobility. Indeed, even spacing between the icons28 may be adjusted, based on the operational state 80. Should the mobiledevice 20 be nearly stationary, conversely smaller-sized icons 28 may beadequate, thus allowing more icons to be simultaneously displayed by thehome screen 26.

FIG. 23 illustrates text sizing. Here, any text 232 displayed on thehome screen 26 may be sized according to the operational state 80. Fontsmay be enlarged, or decreased, in response to the operational state 80.For example, weather information may be enlarged in some operationalstates 80 and reduced in others. Similarly, a time display may beenlarged in some operational states 80 and reduced in others. SMS textmessages may be enlarged for easier reading, even though a response textmay be prohibited (perhaps when driving). Whatever the text 232, thetext 232 may be sized according to the operational state 80.

FIG. 24 is another schematic illustrating the database 90 of iconicarrangements. The database 90 of iconic arrangements again associatesthe different operational states 80 to their corresponding iconicarrangements 92. Here, though, the iconic arrangements 92 may beaugmented with sizing adaptations 234. The algorithm 52 may size 230 theicons 28 and the text 232 according to the operational state 80. Thealgorithm 52 queries the table 94 for the operational state 80 andretrieves the corresponding iconic arrangement 92 with the sizingadaptations 234. The algorithm 52 then dynamically arranges and sizesthe icons 28 and the text 232, as this disclosure explains. Large sizingof the icons 28 and the text 232 enable reliable use where mobility andvibration impact readability and selectability. The risk of incorrectselections and distractions whilst driving is thus reduced. Smallsizing, on the other hand, enables comprehensive and flexible use wheremobility and vibration may not impact safety, readability andselectability. The algorithm 52 also removes the hassle associated withmanually adapting the home screen 26.

FIGS. 25-26 are schematics illustrating adaptation of an address book240, according to exemplary embodiments. Here the user's address book240 may adapt, according to the operational state 80. As the operationalstate 80 changes, the user's address book 240 may sort its contactsentries according to the time 42 of day, the location 44, and the state46 of mobility. The size 230 of the text 232 may also adjust, accordingto the operational state 80. As the reader likely understands, one ofthe software applications 30 is the electronic address book 240 thatstores voice, text, and other contacts. The mobile device 20 may storemany, perhaps hundreds, of contact entries in the address book 240. Themobile device 20 may thus store many email addresses, phone numbers,street addresses, and even notes regarding the many contact entries. Themobile device 20 may thus sort and display the address book 240 withentries that are easy to see, reach, and select on a single screen. Withthis in mind, conventional mobile devices commonly spread the user'scontact entries over multiple screens, through which the user mustscroll.

Exemplary embodiments, then, may be applied to the user's address book240. As the user carries the mobile device 20 throughout the day, theuser's needs and habits may change, according to the operational state80. For example, the user has very different visibility and callinghabits when driving a vehicle on personal time, versus when the user issitting in the office during the workday. As the mobile device 20 isused, exemplary embodiments may record calling behaviors, textingbehaviors, and the other usage information in the log 100 of usage (asexplained with reference to FIG. 5). Even though the address book 240may store hundreds of contact entries, small sets of contacts aregenerally only useful for a narrow subset of conditions. For example, awork contact may be useful during workday hours, but the work contactmay be unavailable outside those hours. Likewise, a subset of contactsis called and needed while driving, but perhaps not so important atother conditions 40. The algorithm 52 may thus intelligently adapt theuser's address book 240 in order to improve the usability and safety.

The user's address book 240 may thus intelligently adapt. The algorithm52 determines the operational state 80 (from the time 42 of day, thelocation 44, and the state 46 of mobility). Over time the algorithm 52learns which contacts are used most often for each condition. Forexample, the algorithm 52 learns how often each contact is called, howoften each contact is texted, and/or how long any communication witheach contact is displayed for each condition. The algorithm 52 thusdetermines which contacts are used most often for each condition 40. Thealgorithm 52 may then generate address favorites 242 for the operationalstate 80. That is, the algorithm 52 sorts and condenses the hundreds ofentries in the address book 240 to only those contacts that arehistorically relevant to the operational state 80. The algorithm 52 thuscauses the mobile device 20 to visually display (and/or audibly present)the address favorites 242 for the operational state 80. For example, themost frequently used contacts may be positioned closest to the user'spreferred thumb (as earlier paragraphs explained). Lesser-used contactsmay be positioned further from the user's thumb or even demoted to thesecondary screen 48. If the operational state 80 warrants, some contactsmay be categorized, such as “unavailable after hours” and deliberatelydemoted to the secondary screen 48. Other contacts, for example, may becategorized “safe driving enablers” (E911 and roadside assistance) andprominently positioned for close, quick selection.

Sizing and fonting may also be adapted. As this disclosure explains, thesize 230 of the text 232 for any contact may also adjust, according tothe operational state 80. That is, once the algorithm 52 generates theaddress favorites 242 for the operational state 80, the font size 230 ofthe contacts listing may be enlarged, or reduced, to suit the state 46of mobility and most likely contact use. For example, if the user iswalking, the algorithm 52 may enlarge the four (4) highest ranking, mostimportant contact text lines to fill the home screen 26. This textualenlargement enables reliable use where the relative position of themobile device 20 and user are constantly changing by large amounts. Ifthe mobile device 20 is stationary, the relative position of the mobiledevice 20 and user does not relatively change, so more contacts may bedisplayed with smaller text on the same home screen 26. If the user isdriving, the algorithm 52 may enlarge the six (6) most important contacttext lines to fill the home screen 26, thus enabling safer operationwhen required whilst driving.

FIG. 26 illustrates the address favorites 242. As there may be differentaddress favorites 242 for different operational states 80, the mobiledevice 20 may store associations in the memory 54. That is, the addressfavorites 242 may be stored in a database 250 of address favorites. FIG.26 illustrates the database 250 of address favorites as a table 252 thatmaps, relates, or associates the different operational states 80 totheir corresponding address favorites 242. Once the algorithm 52determines the operational state 80, the algorithm 52 queries thedatabase 250 of address favorites for the operational state 80. If amatch exists, the algorithm 52 retrieves the corresponding addressfavorites 242. As FIG. 26 also illustrates, each address favorite 242may also include the sizing adaptations 234 for the text 232 and thepositional ranking 200 for the location of the contacts. The algorithm52 then positions the address favorites 242 to the user's desiredlocation (such as the home button 120 or the user's preferred thumb, asexplained above).

FIG. 27 is a schematic illustrating an alternate operating environment,according to exemplary embodiments. Here the database 90 of iconicarrangements may be remotely stored and accessed from any locationwithin a network 260. The database 90 of iconic arrangements, forexample, may be stored in a server 262. Once the algorithm 52 determinesthe conditions 40, the algorithm 52 instructs the mobile device 20 tosend a query to the server 262. That is, the mobile device 20 queriesthe server 262 for the conditions 40. If a match is found, the server262 sends a response, and the response includes the operational state80. Remote, central storage relieves the mobile device 20 from locallystoring and maintaining the database 90 of iconic arrangements.Similarly, any portion of the exemplary embodiments may be remotelystored and maintained to relieve local processing by the mobile device20.

Exemplary embodiments may be applied regardless of networkingenvironment. Exemplary embodiments may be easily adapted to mobiledevices having cellular, WI-FI®, and/or BLUETOOTH® capability. Exemplaryembodiments may be applied to mobile devices utilizing any portion ofthe electromagnetic spectrum and any signaling standard (such as theIEEE 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard,and/or the ISM band). Exemplary embodiments, however, may be applied toany processor-controlled device operating in the radio-frequency domainand/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain. Exemplary embodiments may beapplied to any processor-controlled device utilizing a distributedcomputing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively knownas the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN),and/or a wide-area network (WAN). Exemplary embodiments may be appliedto any processor-controlled device utilizing power line technologies, inwhich signals are communicated via electrical wiring. Indeed, exemplaryembodiments may be applied regardless of physical componentry, physicalconfiguration, or communications standard(s).

FIG. 28 is a schematic illustrating still more exemplary embodiments.FIG. 28 is a more detailed diagram illustrating a processor-controlleddevice 300. As earlier paragraphs explained, the algorithm 52 mayoperate in any processor-controlled device. FIG. 28, then, illustratesthe algorithm 52 stored in a memory subsystem of theprocessor-controlled device 300. One or more processors communicate withthe memory subsystem and execute either, some, or all applications.Because the processor-controlled device 300 is well known to those ofordinary skill in the art, no further explanation is needed.

FIG. 29 depicts other possible operating environments for additionalaspects of the exemplary embodiments. FIG. 29 illustrates the algorithm52 operating within various other devices 400. FIG. 29, for example,illustrates that the algorithm 52 may entirely or partially operatewithin a set-top box (“STB”) (402), a personal/digital video recorder(PVR/DVR) 404, a Global Positioning System (GPS) device 408, aninteractive television 410, a tablet computer 412, or any computersystem, communications device, or processor-controlled device utilizingthe processor 50 and/or a digital signal processor (DP/DSP) 414. Thedevice 400 may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics,clocks, printers, gateways, mobile/implantable medical devices, andother apparatuses and systems. Because the architecture and operatingprinciples of the various devices 400 are well known, the hardware andsoftware componentry of the various devices 400 are not further shownand described.

Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in acomputer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable medium, forexample, may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, opticaldisk, memory card, memory drive, and large-capacity disks. Thiscomputer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed toend-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. A computer program productcomprises processor-executable instructions for intelligent adaptationof icons, text, fonts, and address books, as the above paragraphsexplained.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect tovarious features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilledin the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited.Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplaryembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: generating, by a sensor ina mobile device, an output in response to a vibrational input, theoutput indicating a measure of the vibrational input; determining, by aprocessor in the mobile device, an operational state of the mobiledevice based on the measure of the vibrational input; retrieving, by theprocessor, an address book having electronic database associationsbetween different contact addresses to different operational states ofthe mobile device; determining, by the processor, a contact address ofthe contact addresses in the address book that has an electronicdatabase association with the operational state determined from themeasure of the vibrational input, the measure of the vibrational inputdetermining the contact address in the address book; adjusting a displaysize of the contact address in accordance with the operational statedetermined from the measure of the vibrational input and an individualranking associated with the contact address; and displaying the contactaddress on a display device of the mobile device using the display size.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: associating the differentcontact addresses to different measures of the vibrational input.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: retrieving a position that isassociated with the measure of the vibrational input; and positioningthe contact address at the position on the display device.
 4. The methodof claim 3, further comprising: adjusting a font size of the contactaddress based on the position retrieved.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the adjusting the font size reduces a portion of the contactaddress.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the adjusting the font sizeenlarges a portion of the contact address.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the contact address is associated with a frequency of use. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein the contact address is associated with acommunication duration between a user of the mobile device and a contactassociated with the contact address.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: ranking each contact address of the contact addresses, eachcontact address being associated with an individual rank.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the determining the contact address of the contactaddresses uses the individual rank associated with the contact addressto determine the contact address in the address book.
 11. A system,comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that whenexecuted cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receivinga sensor output generated in response to a measure of a vibrationalinput to a mobile device; retrieving an address book having electronicdatabase associations between different contact addresses to differentmeasures of the vibrational input to the mobile device; generatingaddress favorites from the address book having the electronic databaseassociations that match the measure of the vibrational input to themobile device; adjusting a display size of the address favorites inaccordance with the measure of the vibrational input to the mobiledevice and an individual ranking associated with each of the addressfavorites; and displaying the address favorites on a display device ofthe mobile device using the display size.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the operations further comprise: retrieving a position that isassociated with the measure of the vibrational input; and positioningthe address favorites at the position on the display device.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise: adjusting afont size of particular ones of the address favorites based on theposition retrieved.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the adjustingthe font size of the particular ones of the address favorites reducesthe font.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the adjusting the fontsize of the particular ones of the address favorites enlarges the font.16. The system of claim 12, wherein each address favorite is associatedwith a frequency of use.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein theoperations further comprise: ranking the address favorites, each addressfavorite of the address favorites being associated with an individualrank.
 18. A computer readable medium storing computer programinstructions for an adaptable address book, which, when executed on aprocessor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:receiving a sensor output generated in response to a measure of avibrational input to a mobile device; retrieving the address book havingelectronic database associations between different contact addresses todifferent measures of the vibrational input to with the mobile device;generating address favorites from the address book having the electronicdatabase associations that match the measure of the vibrational input tothe mobile device; adjusting a display size of the address favorites inaccordance with the measure of the vibrational input to the mobiledevice and an individual ranking associated with each of the addressfavorites; and displaying the address favorites on a display device ofthe mobile device using the display size.
 19. The computer readablemedium of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise: retrievinga position having one of the electronic database associations with themeasure of the vibrational input; and positioning the address favoritesat the position on the display device.
 20. The computer readable mediumof claim 19, wherein the operations further comprise: ranking theaddress favorites, each address favorite of the address favorites beingassociated with an individual rank.